About 50 in Chambersburg protest family separation

Jennifer Sefcheck (right) poses for a photo with her husband and her daughter during the “Reunite Families” protest which was held the afternoon of Saturday, June 23 in downtown Chambersburg. Participants were encouraged to wear the color black to serve as a symbolic mourning for those who have been separated from their loved ones, as well as to unify the group which included participants from different local organizations.(Photo11: Courtesy of Judith McLean)

In less than two months, at least 2,000 migrant children have been separated from their parents or an adult after trying to cross the border into the United States illegally, USA TODAY reported.

Despite President Donald Trump signing an executive order last week which is meant to keep immigrant families together who have been detained at the U.S. border, members of the Franklin County Women’s Democratic Club were still concerned about the fate of the children in custody.

Secretary for the organization, Jennifer Sefcheck, said that during a meeting June 21 some expressed concerns about children's quality of care and the possible long-term psychological effects of separating them from their families. Others also discussed the lack of transparency regarding the president's plan to bring the families back together.

The organization then decided to hold a "Reunite Families" protest Saturday afternoon in front of Rep. Bill Shuster's, R-Everett, office on Lincoln Way East.

Democratic candidate for the 13th U.S. Congressional District, Brent Ottaway (left), poses for a photo with Judith McLean (right) during the “Reunite Families” protest which was held the afternoon of Saturday, June 23 in downtown Chambersburg.(Photo11: Submitted)

More than 50 attended, according to Sefcheck, including Democratic candidate for the 13th U.S. Congressional District, Brent Ottaway. It also drew participants from other local activist groups, including Concerned Citizens of Franklin County and the Franklin County Coalition for Progress.

She said many passing cars responded with "positive honks, waves and thumbs up" to the protest. However, others weren't not as pleased with the demonstration. Sefcheck added one man circled the block several times in his vehicle honking his horn and saying he was offended, and a male pedestrian attempted to the debate the group on the criminal nature of immigrants. Despite these two incidents, the event did not see any counterprotestors.

Sefcheck attended the protest with several of her friends, her husband and her daughter, whom she included because she wants "to instill in her the importance of civic duty and betterment of society."

“It’s easy to feel defeated and powerless in the face of change you feel is moving away from progress," Sefcheck said. "Being a voice and using my vote for the powerless helps uproot the status quo."

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A migrant rest center in McAllen, Texas has seen a surge of donations and volunteers following the family separation policy by President Donald Trump. (June 25)
AP

Natalie Winter, who also participated, said she has never seen "people being treated so abusively" in her 75 years.

"All they want is a chance to have a decent life like we have," she added.

The issue hits close to home for her. Winter said her father died when she was a teenager, and she watched her brother lose his wife while caring for three small children.

"I can't stand to watch what I see," she continued. "It is not right."

There need to be more judges appointed to process all of the immigrants, Winter said.

"We just need to do something about it," she said. "I can't sit by and say nothing, do nothing. It's on me if I do nothing, as well as our government. I have to speak out when I see injustice."

Judith McLean said she knows how much damage breaking up families could do to the children. Having had a long career in mental health and having raised children, she said she understands the impact of separation anxiety and abandonment issues on children.

Natalie Winter holds a sign during the “Reunite Families” protest which was held the afternoon of Saturday, June 23 in downtown Chambersburg.(Photo11: Courtesy of Judith McLean)

"We could raise so many children in this country who are traumatized by having been separated from their parents," she said. "So, I think that for the government to embark upon this, whether as a political pressure or for whatever unempathetic reason, I think it is a very incorrect action to take."

The government needs to institute an amnesty program for undocumented immigrants who have been in the country for a long time, and are working and paying taxes, according to McLean. She also said Congress needs to pass immigration laws to avoid policies like this in the future.

But in the end, this isn't a Republican or Democratic issue, McLean said.

"I think it's an issue for every citizen of the United States to think about it, and address and put themselves in a child's place or in a parent's place who had their children taken from them."

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